BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1752, 25 May 1886, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(By Cable.) (Reoter's Special.) London, May 19. Mr Graham Berry has received a satisfactory assurance re the New Hebrides from Lord Granville, and has wired details to hie Government! Mr Berry told Lord Gran> ville that it would be unfair to the Colonies to again refuse their request. Lord Granvillo in reply to Mr Berry implied that it would be a public error to accept the extended proposals of France. He fnrthei stated that in the first instance he only suggested that a cession of the New Hebrides was possible on a basis which would determine finally the convict question and several other points. Lords Granyille and Rosebery {ear that the action taken by their Government will have the effect of reopening the recidiviste question.

It Is rumoured on the Paris Bourse that M. de Freycinet, French Minister of Foreign Affaire, is seriously disquieted at Germany's reply to his inquiries why she was reinforcing her army. ' The Standard ' considers it would be safe . for England to annex the Howe and Pitcairn Islands of the Lower Archipelago. Maxwell, who waß arrested in Auckland, on the charge of murdering Preller at St. Louis, has confessed that he accidentally chloroformed him. May 20. Beach has accepted Hanlan's ohallenge. General Boulanger will ask the French Chamber of Deputies to increase the army by seventy-three thousand additional troops per annnm. A number of German traders have been massacred by the Ashantees. With a view of defeating the shipping ring it is suggested to inaugurate a line of ships from Liverpool and Glasgow to Australia and that a company should be formed with a capital of £300,000 for the purpose of gfving effect to the suggestion. Three Russian ironclads have been launched at Sebastopol. May 21. In the House of Commons laßt night the bill providing for the temporary renewal of the Arms Act was read for a second time. Mr Parnell and his followers voted against the measure. Lord Randolph Churchill has reaffirmed his opinion that the Loyalists would be justified in forcibly resisting a Parliament sitting in Dublin. Jachnettes, the New York alderman, who was convicted of bribery, baa been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. Acting on the suggestion of the Marquis of Normanby, a conference is being arranged for during the Exhibition time, to consider the desirability of State-directed colonising. The German Colonisation Society claim to have acquired the island of Angayisa, or Great Comoro, in the Mozambique Channel, prior to the protectorate of France. In consequence of the order of the Czar calling upon the men belonging to the Black Sea fleet to return to their ships forthwith, stocks have fallen in Vienna and Berlin . It is authoritatively announced that there is no foundation for the statement which has been promulgated to the effect that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales intends to visit Australia next year. Her Majesty's Government have sent a definite reply to France, stating that as the colonies were opposed to the cession of the New Hebrides, the status quo ante must be maintained. May 22. Owing to espionage law all German officers studying iu France have been recalled. It ia reported that the summer furlough usually granted to German officers has been refused. The Government are prolonging the debate on Mr Gladstone's Home Rule proposals, and the action is causing much discontent amongst members of the House of Commons. The Judiciary Committee of the United States Congress have declared that polygamy is lawful. Russian candidates at the Roumelian eleotions have collapsed. The establishment of a Company for the construction of a railway from Albany to York ia announced, with 100,000 subscribers. Mount Etna is now in violent eruption. The wheat market is dull. American cargoes are at a lower price, and shipments are increasing. The value of cargoes direct for London are 343 10i. Colonial shipments await buyers. Paris, May 20. An outcry is being raised by the organs of the Republican party against the manner in which the Count de Paris is permitted to hold grand receptions in this city. The Government are discussing a proposal for his expulsion from France. St. Petersburg, May 20. His Majesty the Czar has ißsued an order commanding all officers and men belonging to the Black Sea fleet to join their vessels forthwith. In the proclamation which accompanies this order Hiß Majesty announces that a peaceful developement is desired by Russia, but as circumatances miy, however, call for armed defence, he deems it necessary to the dignity of the Empire that precautionary measures be taken to ensure the security of Russia. Athens, May 21 . M. Stephanofo, who belongs to the Peace Party, and whoße candidature was under the sanction of M. Triooupis, has been elected President of the Greek Chamber of Deputies, The Provisional Ministry formed by M. Papamichalopopos has resigned. M. Tricoupis is engaged in forming a Cabinet. 1 Advices from the frontier state that serioas fighting has recently taken place between the Greek and Turkish outposts. Miy 22. It has transpired that the outpost fighting on the Greek frontier was tha reßult of a misunderstanding. An amicable arrangement has been come to.